I Used to Work for the Humane Society 😬
Sounds crazy, right? I get it. But my time with the Humane Society taught me more than I ever expected.
I saw some of the most heartbreaking things you can imagine—dogs suffering from neglect, abuse, and extreme health issues. I visited more than a few puppy mills. But I also saw the opposite: breeders who were doing things right. Breeders with beautiful facilities, dogs who were healthy, happy, and loved—and still part of a thoughtful breeding program.
I saw the full spectrum of what dog care could look like. I learned a lot about veterinary care (like the time I helped treat a dog with mange so severe she had almost no hair and thick, crusted skin), but what really surprised me was what I learned about people.
Most of the time, the issue wasn’t cruelty—it was lack of knowledge. People genuinely wanted to do the right thing, but they didn’t know what that was. It usually wasn’t about money—it was about education. They didn’t understand what their dog needed, or how to give it.
Ironically, most of my work with the Humane Society wasn’t rescue—it was education. Helping people understand their dog’s needs, and figuring out a plan to meet them.
So when I set out to build my breeding program, I brought all of that experience with me. I designed it with intention—from the way we raise our dogs, to how we support our puppy buyers long after they go home.
Unique. Done Right.
–Preserving the Secrets of the Breed.
I have always loved genetics, enjoying studying color genetics with horses for many years. I met a breeder with some Tri-Colored Dalmatians and I was fascinated by how they existed the breed, but no one really knew! I set out, studying the genetics of many Dalmatians from other breeders. All of this research into the genetics brought my attention many interesting facts regarding Dalmatian colors. I learned that the very first Dalmatian in the stud book was a tricolored Dal, who was later nixed from the records. In researching DNA tests I found sable, something no one knew existed in the breed! I then started planning how to save the sable and how I could bring it back.
What I realized in the end was that these hidden genetics were always in Dalmatians, but no one understood how to bring them out. I knew that I could do it, but I was also worried that if I didn't, these beautiful variations might be lost forever. So I set out to secrets to light and share these beautiful colors with my puppy families.
Our Breeding Priorities
Health Testing & Structural Evaluation
While working with the Humane Society, I saw firsthand that not all issues in dogs stem from poor care—many were the result of poor breeding. Some dogs had severe underbites or overbites that made eating difficult. Others had structural issues, like hip dysplasia, that made every step painful.
These problems deeply affected their quality of life. And the hard truth? Most of them could have been prevented through responsible breeding practices. That’s why we health test all of our dogs and continuously evaluate their overall well-being.
Our goal is simple: to raise dogs who are not only well-loved, but built to live healthy, happy lives. We never want our puppy owners to face the heartbreak of dealing with problems that could have been avoided.
Extensive Pedigree & DNA COI Research
Maintaining genetic diversity within a bloodline is essential—it helps prevent undesirable recessive traits from showing up in your puppies.
But here’s the irony: what defines a breed is the consistent selection of the same set of traits, generation after generation. Meanwhile, what protects against genetic health issues is diversity. It's a bit of a catch-22, and it’s where the art of breeding really comes in—striking the balance between preserving breed type and maintaining genetic health.
That’s why I pay close attention to the Coefficient of Inbreeding (COI) when selecting breeding pairs. I use both DNA and pedigree analysis to ensure we're maintaining genetic diversity while continuing to produce dogs with the predictable traits we love.
Temperament & Friendly
Dalmatians often get a bad rap. One common misconception comes from their unique tendency to "smile" by showing their teeth—a gesture that can look intimidating, but is actually a sign of submission, not aggression.
There are plenty of articles online suggesting that Dalmatians are aggressive, but that hasn’t been our experience—and we intend to keep it that way. Because our dogs live and interact with us every day, we have a deep understanding of their personalities and temperaments. This constant interaction allows us to intentionally select breeding dogs that embody the loving, family-centered nature we value.
By doing so, we ensure our puppy buyers receive dogs with temperaments they can trust—dogs who are not only beautiful, but stable, loyal, and well-suited to family life.
Enrichment & Engaging Drives
Often, the difference between a happy, well-adjusted dog and one filled with anxiety comes down to the level of daily enrichment. For example, even a well-bred dog kept in a small kennel can begin to develop anxiety simply from being unable to run, sniff, explore, or even chase a bug.
I saw this often during my time with the Humane Society—dogs who had never had their minds engaged, and it caused them so much stress. Imagine sitting in a room with a window, but never being allowed to play, talk to a friend, or even watch Netflix. That’s the reality for many dogs in puppy mills or homes where the owners don’t have the means or setup to offer meaningful enrichment in a safe way.
Knowing how critical this is, I’ve made enrichment a central part of my program. It’s shaped how I’ve designed my facilities, our exercise pens, and even the layout of our property. By allowing my dogs to simply be dogs, they stay happy, engaged, and well-balanced—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Educate & Support Buyers
Taking what I’ve learned—that most people genuinely want to do the right thing, but don’t always know what that is—I realized that my job didn’t end when a puppy went home. I needed to not only provide great dogs, but also help owners be successful after they brought their puppy home.
I do this by offering education and support through a series of emails, helpful articles on my website, and, of course, by being available to answer questions and concerns along the way.
My hope is that by preparing you for the journey ahead, the things that might otherwise feel frustrating or confusing will instead feel expected—and you’ll have the tools to handle them confidently. I can’t raise your puppy for you, but I canhelp you feel equipped and supported as you raise them.
Your Success is Our Success
When I hand the puppy to you, that's not the end of support, it's just the beginning. I am always here to help you, whether you have a quick question about training, dog food, or feel like sending a quick photo or video, we're here for you. I love hearing about our dogs and the lives they're living. We also don't want you to feel like you're on your own, we are here to help and support you in your journey with one of our pups.
On the Cutting Edge of Canine Knowledge
The world of dog breeding is always evolving, we learn more about genetics, breeding, raising puppies, and supporting buyers all the time. I believe it's my responsibility as an honest breeder to stay up-to-date on the latest information that's available in the industry. I am always listening to breeder podcasts, watching YouTube videos, and I'm an avid member of the Dog Breeder Society–a community of Dog Breeders who pledge to raise wonderful, healthy, temperamentally balanced dogs who thrive with their owners.
I want you to have the best, which means I have to be the best I can be.
We're a Small Family Team
I'm lucky to have the best family, who is all involved in the breeding program. I really couldn't do it without them. My youngest, Elan, has been getting better and better at cleaning kennels–he's quite the poop scooper–but he also loves to grab a puppy or two and play with them in the afternoon. My daughter, Ava, is my righthand girl, she helps me with essentially everything, she can vaccinate, deworm, give baths, feed, and she is such a help with pictures! The kids work together to put together puppy packs and often accompany me on deliveries.
Jake occasionally helps with deliveries, but most of the time he's helping keep things moving smoothly, especially if we're away on deliveries. He's whelped puppies, takes puppies to work for a little extra socialization, and when there is the unfortunate need for additional medical care, he generously assists given his medical background as an EMT and Firefighter (is it too much stereotype to have Dalmatians?).
Our Dogs are Farm Dogs – Living the Life
We have horses and the dogs love to be a part of horse activities, following us around while we do chores and they love to hit the trails with us when we go riding.
On a side note, we have been oddly surprised at how easy these coats are to manage–even our long coats–as the dogs love to be dogs, running around, and getting dirty as farm dogs do; yet they clean off so easy, rarely needing a full bath.
Years in Business
Members on the Team
Acres
Dogs in Breeding Program
"As a two year owner of a Missouri Dalmatian pup, l highly recommend them. Our LUA Female was received at 8 weeks old and was in excellent health. She's been a pleasure to have as a part of our family!"
–Sandra
"Jessica is amazing to work with. Her work ethic is so professional and cares deeply about the pups. I recommend her services 150%."
–Leslie
"Within a few days of bringing home our Missouri Dalmatian pup he has learned to sit to get our attention, lay down, and is working on stay/come. He doesn't lick the face incessantly like most pups, doesn't squirm out of our hands, walks (home) on a leash perfectly, and takes well to roughhousing with our 3 and 1 year old nephews. He knows to get our attention when he needs to go outside and potty as well. Did I mention he's only 8 weeks old?! He slept through the night in his crate on our bedroom floor on night 3 and only whined once to go out to pee, then he slept up until our alarm! He's an absolute doll and doesn't bark either! I don't know how you do it but THANK you for breeding these pups so well!"
–Kylie
"She is so so sweet! She hasn't had a single accident since that first hour and has slept through both nights ... we are so lucky to have such a wonderful pup! ❤️"